REAF IDEATHON BATCH FOUR
Solve challenges in rural economic development by creating solutions to encourage socio-economic resilience
Are you a team of innovators working in the agrifood, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable and sustainable energy, waste management or valorization sectors with direct socio-economic impact? Apply to the REAF Ideathon and get the chance to benefit from an 8-month incubation program with tailored capacity-building activities, business development services, technical assistance, coaching, and in-kind grants.
Applications are now open.
Choose Your Ideathon
based on your most convenient date and location
The top two winners of Southern Baalbeck Ideathon and Hasbaya Ideathon will automatically qualify to the Central Ideathon
REAF Ideathon Fourth Edition
Under the Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program, funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Berytech, within the framework of the project Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE), Berytech is organizing a series of three consecutive Ideathons for its fourth batch of the REAF Ideathon to support selected participants grow their business.
The REAF Ideathon is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs and startups working on innovative solutions in the sectors of agrifood, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable and sustainable energy, waste management or valorization, operating in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck, solving real problems/challenges in rural communities to enhance their concept, receive support, and pitch their proposed solutions to a panel of judges to get the chance to be selected to join the 8-month REAF Incubation program.
Workshops
Get all the information you need to enhance your solution.
Clinics
Receive support from mentors and experts.
Pitching
Pitch your solution to the jury and receive expert feedback to enhance your idea.
The Benifits
22 winners
ACCESS THE VALIDATION & PRE-INCUBATION PHASE OF THE PROGRAM WITH A $2,000 IN-KIND GRAND.*
*22 winners of the Central REAF Ideathon will be incubated for three months receiving technical and business support. Following this phase, 11 startups will proceed to the next incubation phase and receive up to $5,000 to build and launch their minimum viable product – MVP. From these, top 3 teams will be selected to receive an additional $1,500 grant.
Who can apply
You are encouraged to apply if you are a team:
- Working in the agrifood, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable and sustainable energy, waste management or valorization sectors with direct socio-economic impact.
- Operating in Hasbaya, and Southern Baalbeck.
- With at least two Lebanese co-founders aged between 18 and 35.
The process:
- Submit your application before the REAF Ideathon deadline.
- If selected, attend the REAF Ideathons of Batch 4.
- Pitch your idea/solution and get the chance to win.
Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Networking
9:00 – 9:15 Opening Note and REAF program introduction
9:15 – 9:30 Ice breaker activity
9:30 – 10:30 What to expect for the weekend & components of a pitch deck (it will be sent prior to the ideathon)
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee break
10:45 – 1:30 Ideation workshop (focused on problem tree, finding the right solution, design thinking beginner level)
1:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 – 4:00 Lean Model Canvas Workshop
4:00 – 6:00 Practical exercise on the canvas
6:00 – 8:30 Product and Business clinics
8:30 – 9:00 Dinner, closing note, what to prepare for the next day
9:00 – 9:30 Registration & Kick-off day 2
9:30 – 11:30 Pitching clinics focused on the pitch deck components and business
11:30 – 12:30 Pitching workshop focused on Body Language
12:30 – 1:00 Lunch break
1:00 – 2:30 Pitching Clinic (rehearsals)
2:30 – 3:00 Final Submissions
3:00 – 5:00 Final Pitching
5:00 – 5:30 Deliberation
5:30 – 7:00 Results, Certificates, End note, Dinner
8:30 – 9:00 Registration & Networking
9:00 – 9:15 Opening Note and REAF program introduction
9:15 – 9:30 Ice breaker activity
9:30 – 10:30 What to expect for the weekend & components of a pitch deck (it will be sent prior to the ideathon)
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee break
10:45 – 1:30 Ideation workshop (focused on problem tree, finding the right solution, design thinking beginner level)
1:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 – 4:00 Lean Model Canvas Workshop
4:00 – 6:00 Practical exercise on the canvas
6:00 – 8:30 Product and Business clinics
8:30 – 9:00 Dinner, closing note, what to prepare for the next day
9:00 – 9:30 Registration & Kick-off day 2
9:30 – 11:30 Pitching clinics focused on the pitch deck components and business
11:30 – 12:30 Pitching workshop focused on Body Language
12:30 – 1:00 Lunch break
1:00 – 2:30 Pitching Clinic (rehearsals)
2:30 – 3:00 Final Submissions
3:00 – 5:00 Final Pitching
5:00 – 5:30 Deliberation
5:30 – 7:00 Results, Certificates, End note, Dinner
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM REAF Introduction and Challenges Presentation
3:30 PM – 3:50 PM Expert’s Guide to Startup Success
3:50 PM – 4:30 PM Alumni Spotlight: Reflecting on Success with REAF B1 & B2 Startups
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Applicants Introduction Followed by an Icebreaker
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM Networking Break Followed by Dinner
6:15 PM – 9:00 PM Ideation Workshop
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lean Model Canvas Workshop
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Practical Exercises on catching their Solution
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Business & Product Clinics
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Dinner
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Pitching Workshop
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM Pitching Clinics
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch Break
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Pitch Rehearsal
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Deadline to Submit Pitch Deck
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Final Pitching in front of the Jury
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Dinner and End Note
Selection Criteria
By the end of the fourth edition of the REAF Ideathon, all startups will have to present a 3-minute pitch presenting their proposed solution to the specific challenges in the form of sustainable business model to a jury of experts followed by a 5-minute Q/A.
Target market, and Customer Segment
- The startup demonstrates a clear customer understanding and empathy and targets a specific pain or problem for a relevant stakeholder.
- The startup has a clear understanding of the characteristics of their target customers and personas.
Idea Validation
- The startup addresses the problem and market validation. The problem/opportunity is ubiquitous, and the solution is innovative and feasible.
- The problem is worth solving, has a clear value, and matches the solution’s value proposition.
Business Model
- The startup has a clearly defined model of “how they will generate revenue.”
Competitiveness and Scalability
- The idea is competitive globally. Few competitors would be working in direct competition with the startup after they move from idea to MVP to a fully operational startup/SME.
Innovation and Impact
- The business idea presented is original or new, or introduces a change made to an existing product, idea, or field.
Team
- Startup composition demonstrates the ability to execute and are committed to the project.
- Startup members’ background is clear, fitting with the roles and responsibilities needed to take the idea forward.
FAQ
The event will be held physically at each location. You will receive all the needed information once you are selected among the teams.
As a team, you are expected to present a pitch deck about your suggested business model for your solution in a 3-minute pitch.
To participate you need to be a team of at least 2 people. We recommend having 3 members in your team with different backgrounds.
Yes. You will have plenty of free time to work on your solution, you just need to make sure to attend all the workshops and be ready for check-in so that the team doesn’t get dismissed from the competition.
The REAF Ideathon is organized by Berytech under the Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program.
If you have any questions or need information, feel free to email us at reaf@berytech.org.
The SDGs
As a member of the Global Compact Network Lebanon, Berytech enacts the 10 principles of the UNGC and the REAF program falls under Berytech’s mission to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
